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2025-01-10   

bym88 bmy88 Patrick Fishburn leads at Sea Island as Joel Dahmen keeps alive hopes of keeping his jobSchool ends on a high note! The annual awards day and graduation ceremonies concluded the 2024 academic year. Journalists from The Fiji Times were busy travelling around the country taking pictures and reporting success stories from this special day. Ana Madigibuli and her team did a marvellous job as they reported on the prizegiving ceremonies that were carried out. I could imagine the excitement and sheer delight within those who walked away with a prize. Their hard work and struggles ended as they celebrated their success with loved ones. Nabua Secondary rewarded their students on Thursday, and I thank Wanshika Kumar and The Fiji Times for the coverage. The emotions on the faces of the day scholars and Matua students spoke about their struggles and how they brandished them to achieve excellence. The prize getters journey to achieving this feat has been through hard work and perseverance. These students organised and managed their time effectively. Their success demonstrates that with balance, and support, success is achievable. We must encourage young people to sacrifice and struggle to strive for their goals. They must be encouraged to set their priorities right and manage their time wisely. Parental support plays a vital role in the child’s success. With the changing tide and impact of drugs, technology and social media, parents need to step up and spend quality time with their children. Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu Yaqona thieves On Taveuni, as with most areas throughout our beloved nation, the place is small enough that the people know more than those who are supposed to know! Just ask the people! They know who the culprits are! And you better start eradicating the freebies now because the words of warning out on social media for the culprits is most certainly not sounding good! On an island where the authorities have lost the plot, and the history of theft amounts to years and millions of dollars in heartbreak and losses, retaliation escalates to a peak where the outcome will most certainly not be pleasing! Noleen Billings Savusavu Bill to protect kids It’s good the parliamentarians have passed new legislation for the care and protection of children in need or at risk and Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam is waxing lyrical about it (FT 7/12). But I wonder how many of them had actually read the Juveniles Act, the Probation of Offenders Act and the Adoption of Infants Act which had provided the legal framework for the care and protection of children with their best interest and welfare as paramount? Rajend Naidu B Sydney, Australia Game changer The planned, game-changer $1.5billion tourism development on the Wailoaloa Nadi foreshore augurs well for Fiji’s employment, economy and the country’s inherited debt repayments. This is truly a massive investment. We trust all authorities will rise to the occasion with their vetting and due diligence. I wish to sincerely congratulate the Hong Kong based investors for their confidence in choosing Nadi for their bold initiatives. May every success and good fortune be bestowed upon them, Nadi and Fiji, as a whole. Ronnie Chang Martintar, Nadi The horse has bolted The drug problem has gotten out of hand in the past two years since the election of this government. There appears to be a perception in high places that once a Commissioner of Police is confirmed the drug problem will suddenly disappear. I think these people believe in Santa Claus as well. All the chiefs are talking about making up their own laws about this problem as they go – just like the government has been making up laws as they go. The reality is, while everyone does not want vulagi things permeating the culture in Fiji, they simply cannot stop these things. It is like trying to stop a vulagi religion permeating every aspect of life in Fiji. The horse bolted a long time ago. Jan Nissar Osaka, Japan Supply and demand chain Honourable Naupoto mentions the need for a major Supply and Demand chain check in the country to assist in countering drug activities. This is best addressed by much more intensive investigation into the contents of shipping containers at wharfs, and further checks during unstuffing of containers at the point of delivery, e.g wholesalers, retailers, vehicle importers etc. Anecdotal advice suggests that the port of Suva is used as a major transit hub for precursors, at least one instance has been uncovered. In England, $200million worth of drugs was shipped in over four years hidden in consignments of garlic, onions and ginger which naturally cannot be detected by sniffer dogs. These items are plentiful imports into the country. Are these shipments ever thoroughly checked? Stashing drugs into large electrical items such as fridges, washing machines et cetera, is another favourite method which could be detected when containers are unstuffed at points of destination. It doesn’t need me to tell the authorities how proper checks can be implemented, it can be done but the “secrecy” is always a problem. Allan Loosley Tavua 2013 Constitution So much had been said and heard during the 26th Attorney-General’s Conference at the Sheraton Fiji Golf & Beach Resort at Denarau in Nadi but with very little being accomplished as far as the Changing of the 2013 Constitution is concerned and rightly so because of the major hurdles of requirements of the majority numbers in Parliament and of course the unpredictable public referendum. Digesting the many issues that were the highlights of constitutional and prominent Suva lawyer Jon Apted (F/T 07/12), it is obviously clear and plain that the 2013 Constitution was engineered by its authors with all the intention of permanent subjection of all people of this small, tiny country with autocracy and subserviency control under the covering of ‘democratic’ principles. Now, we must bear in mind that as we currently live under this 2013 documents, we are actually living and conducting all our civil and democratic principles unlawfully since the coup-de tat of 2006 was declared unlawful by the Supreme Court ruling in April 2009 with the Qarase case judgement. Aren’t we conscious of our total illegality? So, the only possible path way forward without too many hurdles is for this country to allow the Court system to decide on that 2009 Supreme Court ruling on the Qarase case and remove this controversial and illegal document and believe me – there is no other way. MELI BOGILEKA Natabua, Lautoka Walking the talk You raise a number of pertinent questions in The Fiji Times editorial on who is responsible and accountable for the “over 8000 illegal immigrants in Fiji” (FT 7/12). One thing for sure is that it’s not the ordinary citizens. Could this have been a post coup phenomenon when democratic governance was weakened because those in power could not be held to standards of transparency, accountability and scrutiny expected? One other very important question we must not shy away from is what part official corruption played in the influx of illegal immigrants in the country? Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia Lack of trash bins! I commend the trusted brand and the people’s newspaper for highlighting Fiji’s political, social and environmental issues in an ethical and professional manner. Littering has become a nemesis, an eyesore and an issue affecting our municipal councils and the residents alike. While the municipalities are pointing fingers at the residents for illegal rubbish and white goods dumping, fingers are also pointing at the municipalities for their failure to collect white goods on time and for the lack of trash bins, as pointed out by The Fiji Times (05/12). According to Jake Wise, municipalities across Fiji were grappling with a shortage of rubbish bins, leaving many towns and cities unable to effectively manage the growing waste generated by their growing populations. It’s sad to note that there is a shortage of rubbish bins along footpaths in the Capital City. With rising urban population, the demand for proper waste management systems, including the provision of sufficient rubbish bins, is more urgent than ever. We need to keep our environment clean. It cannot be done by an individual but by everyone! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu Cause and effect Drugs have silently eroded the moral and physical stature of the people of our beloved nation. I note that the second Speaker’s Debate touched on Drugs while the slogan on the banner that late afternoon cried ‘The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention’. Sadly, the reality of our solutions are targeted more at fixing the effects of drugs while we tend to shy away from treating the cause which is the heart and heat of the matter! And despite the fact that we have national security planners and are spending ‘every which way’ as us kailoma like to put it, somehow our borders remain open and defenceless to all forms of criminal activity. So how about instead of bringing in the huge boats that get stuck on reefs, we decentralise our Customs Department, set them up on the furthest of our islands in our group of islands including Rotuma, build the right infrastructure on them, equip them with the right communication and surveillance equipment, get them say 40 boats and a bunch of armed policemen and service them with our government barges and island freighters! We can bet our bottom dollar that our weak and vulnerable points has been studied to the letter! Noleen Billings Savusavu English and the vernacular OK, I get it. Children taught in their vernacular, as Prof. Paul Gerahaty (FT 29/11) is suggesting, might help improve some of the academic results attributed to a better comprehension in their own language. But jeez, Prof, how on Earth do you teach a myriad of subjects in the vernacular that require English as a basis of learning and understanding? If we were to take a step back, could the problem be how teachers are conveying the message of the subject so it’s a communication based teaching style issue that needs looking into? Or, could it be a lack of adequate teaching materials and technological support? Could it be a lapse and focus on the part of pupils who’re failing because of the challenges of home life where there are serious financial constraints or even domestic violence issues? Could the problem be related to nutrition where a child is not getting adequate nutrients in their everyday meals because of the financial struggles in the home? Could it be linked to problems with alcohol, drugs, porn and the lure of digitised games on the internet because of plain boredom? Is the curriculum relevant or appropriately structured to meet the needs and standards of the current crop of students? Could some of these students who’re not up to par have learning difficulties? Could some of these students have issues at home where they’re not receiving the love and support of their parents and/or guardians to help them overcome the hurdles and challenges of school life? Could it be because exams favour certain learning styles while they lose a significant proportion of pupils because they didn’t understand or grasp the message, context or concept of what was being taught? There could be a myriad of different reasons why certain children do well while others flop. So there needs to be a holistic approach to understand why so many children are struggling with school work and with their exams. I’m a fan of yours and have great respect for the work that you do. I know your heart’s in the right place. And I understand that you’re trying desperately to find a solution to help improve academic excellence and performance. However, the positive side to all of this is that your suggestion has started a dialogue deluge. And hopefully, there’ll be a host of solutions raining down to help fix the failure rate. So vinaka and good on you for sparking the discussion. Colin Deoki Australia

NEW DELHI: In July 2008, then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh rose in Parliament to defend his embattled government in the face of a no-confidence motion. “Whatever I have done in this high office, I have done so with a clear conscience and the best interests of my country and our people at heart,” he said. The motion fell, and Singh completed two full terms in office. Sixteen years later, political and ideological boundaries collapsed as leaders united in tribute to Singh. Allies, opponents, world leaders, intellectuals, sportspersons and millions of common Indians paid homage to the two-time prime minister and former finance minister on Friday, hailing him as a “visionary” and an “outstanding statesman”. Flags flew at half-mast across the national capital on a gloomy, overcast day and scores poured into Singh’s 3, Motilal Nehru Road residence, where his body was kept in state. His wife Gursharan Kaur and other family members stood by his body, which was draped in the Tricolour, as people of all hues, including President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, former Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, party chief Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi paid their last respects. Sonia Gandhi, who heads the Congress Parliamentary Party, called him her “friend, philosopher and guide”. “A luminous and beloved guiding light for the Congress party, his compassion and vision transformed and empowered the lives of millions of Indians,” she said. Several, including Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naidu, left notes in a condolence book in the drawing room of his house, where he spent the final decade of his life after moving out of the official prime minister’s residence in 2014. Tributes also poured in from across the globe, as former presidents, prime ministers and diplomats recollected their interactions with the soft-spoken economist, who died aged 92 of age-related ailments. Social media was awash with images of Singh in his unmistakable powder-blue turban as people celebrated his transformative effect on the Indian economy after he broke the shackles of the Licence Raj as finance minister in 1991 and lay down social security measures for India’s poorest classes as prime minister between 2004 and 2014. Singh’s body will be taken from his residence to the Congress’s Akbar Road headquarters at 8am on Saturday, where the public will be allowed to pay their condolences. At 9.30am, a funeral procession will proceed to Nigambodh Ghat. There, he will be laid to rest with full State honours at 11.45am. The Union cabinet led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi met at 11am and paid tributes to “an eminent statesman, renowned economist and a distinguished leader” who “left his imprint on our national life.” The Centre had on Thursday declared a week of national mourning. Separately, in a video eulogy, Modi remembered Singh as a remarkable human being whose journey from Partition-era displacement to India’s highest office embodied the nation’s resilient spirit. “His humility, gentleness, and intellectualism became the hallmark of his parliamentary life. I remember that earlier this year when his term in the Rajya Sabha came to an end, I said that his dedication as a parliamentarian was an inspiration to all. Despite his age, he would attend important sessions in a wheelchair and fulfil his parliamentary duties,” Modi said. He later laid a wreath at Singh’s residence and offered condolences to his wife, Kaur. Union ministers Amit Shah, Nirmala Sitharaman, Rajnath Singh and Hardeep Puri also visited the residence, as did BJP chief JP Nadda. Chief ministers MK Stalin (Tamil Nadu), Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu (Himachal Pradesh) and Revanth Reddy (Telangana) also reached Delhi to pay their respects. Vice-president Jagdeep Dhankhar met Singh’s family and “acknowledged his enduring legacy”, his office said in a statement, while former president Ram Nath Kovind called Singh “a modern reformer for the Indian economy”. A raft of foreign leaders and statesmen articulated their memories of the Cambridge- and Oxford-educated technocrat and underscored the efforts Singh made to establish India as a force on the global stage. Singh was “a remarkable man” who made a “major personal contribution to strengthening friendly ties” between the two countries, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in a statement. “As Prime Minister and when serving in other high-ranking positions, he accomplished a lot in promoting India’s economic development and asserting its interests on the world stage. He also made a major personal contribution to strengthening friendly ties between our two countries by elevating them to the level of a special privileged strategic partnership... I had the occasion of talking with this remarkable man several times. We will cherish the memory of him,” he said. French President Emmanuel Macron said “India has lost a great man” and France a true friend. “He had devoted his life to his country. Our thoughts are with his family and the people of India,” Macron said on X. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim offered a moving tribute to his former Indian counterpart, calling him, “my mitra (friend), my bhai (brother)”. “During the years of my incarceration, he extended a kindness that he didn’t have to — one that was neither politically expedient nor, as one can imagine, appreciated by the Malaysian government at that time... He offered scholarships for my children, particularly my son, Ihsan. Although I had declined the gracious offer, such a gesture undoubtedly showed his extraordinary humanity and generosity,” said Ibrahim, who was imprisoned between 1999 and 2004, and then from 2015 to 2018. United States secretary of state Antony Blinken called Singh “one of the greatest champions of the bilateral strategic partnership”. “Dr Singh was one of the greatest champions of the US-India strategic partnership, and his work laid the foundation for much of what our countries have accomplished together in the past two decades,” he said. Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake called him “a visionary leader”. Tributes also arrived from the leaders of Afghanistan, Maldives, Mauritius, and Nepal, underscoring the indelible footprint that Singh’s legacy left on southeast Asia in particular. Former Canadian prime minister Stephen Harper said he was saddened to learn of the passing. “He was an individual of exceptional intelligence, integrity, and wisdom. Laureen and I wish to convey our condolences to all his family and friends,” Harper said. Several business leaders hailed Singh’s legacy that snapped government control of business and allowed private enterprises to flourish. Aditya Birla Group Chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla said the nation lost one of its tallest leaders and finest economists. “His most defining contribution — the epochal 91 reforms spurred a multi-decadal economic boom and more importantly reshaped the calculus of possibilities for India and Indians,” Birla said in a statement. Indian industry, economy, and entrepreneurs in particular, owe a debt of gratitude to the liberalisation reforms that were ushered in the early 90s under Manmohan Singh’s leadership, Bharti Enterprises Founder and Chairman Sunil Mittal said. Economists across the world also paid their respects to a luminary in their field, who was also deputy chief of the erstwhile Planning Commission and governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). Former World Bank chief economist Kaushik Basu said Singh’s modesty came from “a deep sense of courage and self-confidence.” “He was a combination of sharp intellect, innate modesty and personal integrity, which is rare in politics,” the former chief economic advisor to the Indian government told news agency PTI. Gita Gopinath, first deputy managing director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), credited Singh with “significantly enhancing the economic prospects for hundreds of millions of Indians”. “His visionary reforms inspired countless young economists like me. Rest in peace, Dr Manmohan Singh,” she said. Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar led the sporting world in paying homage. “Dr Manmohan Singh ji’s demise is a profound loss for India. His contributions to our nation shall always be remembered. My prayers are with his family and loved ones as we mourn his passing away,” he said on X.6 dead in New Jersey after car flies off overpass, bursts into flames

Shares of Leonardo DRS, Inc. ( NASDAQ:DRS – Get Free Report ) have received a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” from the six research firms that are presently covering the firm, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and three have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average 1 year target price among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $32.17. Several research firms recently weighed in on DRS. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on Leonardo DRS from $29.00 to $32.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Monday, November 4th. Robert W. Baird raised their price target on shares of Leonardo DRS from $30.00 to $40.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Thursday, October 31st. Finally, Bank of America cut shares of Leonardo DRS from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating and upped their price objective for the stock from $26.00 to $30.00 in a research report on Tuesday, September 24th. Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on DRS Leonardo DRS Price Performance Leonardo DRS ( NASDAQ:DRS – Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 30th. The company reported $0.24 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.20 by $0.04. The business had revenue of $812.00 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $775.44 million. Leonardo DRS had a net margin of 6.23% and a return on equity of 9.71%. The company’s revenue was up 15.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $0.20 earnings per share. On average, analysts anticipate that Leonardo DRS will post 0.92 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Insider Activity In other news, COO John Baylouny sold 8,235 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, December 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $34.50, for a total transaction of $284,107.50. Following the completion of the sale, the chief operating officer now directly owns 81,863 shares in the company, valued at $2,824,273.50. This represents a 9.14 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website . Also, SVP Pamela Morrow sold 11,100 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Monday, December 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $34.81, for a total transaction of $386,391.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 12,565 shares in the company, valued at approximately $437,387.65. The trade was a 46.90 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Insiders sold 94,554 shares of company stock valued at $3,236,679 over the last quarter. 0.12% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Institutional Trading of Leonardo DRS A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Covestor Ltd grew its position in shares of Leonardo DRS by 226.8% during the 3rd quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 1,814 shares of the company’s stock worth $51,000 after buying an additional 1,259 shares during the period. KBC Group NV grew its holdings in Leonardo DRS by 42.5% in the third quarter. KBC Group NV now owns 2,585 shares of the company’s stock worth $73,000 after purchasing an additional 771 shares during the period. Point72 Hong Kong Ltd bought a new stake in Leonardo DRS in the third quarter valued at $109,000. Point72 Asia Singapore Pte. Ltd. bought a new stake in Leonardo DRS in the third quarter valued at $113,000. Finally, New York State Teachers Retirement System raised its holdings in shares of Leonardo DRS by 6.9% during the third quarter. New York State Teachers Retirement System now owns 6,722 shares of the company’s stock valued at $190,000 after purchasing an additional 432 shares during the period. 18.76% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Leonardo DRS Company Profile ( Get Free Report Leonardo DRS, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides defense electronic products and systems, and military support services. It operates through Advanced Sensing and Computing (ASC) segment, and Integrated Mission Systems (IMS) segments. The ASC segment designs, develops, and manufacture sensing and network computing technology that enables real-time situational awareness required for enhanced operational decision making and execution; and offers sensing capabilities span applications, such as missions requiring advanced detection, precision targeting and surveillance sensing, long range electro-optic/infrared, signals intelligence, and other intelligence systems including electronic warfare, ground vehicle sensing, active electronically scanned array tactical radars, dismounted soldier, and space sensing. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Leonardo DRS Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Leonardo DRS and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .

Jimmy Butler remains behind amid conjecture as Heat move on to AtlantaRecent articles in The Atlantic and Teen Vogue highlight a troubling trend: College students are increasingly disengaged from reading, prompting a search for scapegoats. From private research universities to small liberal arts colleges, professors have expressed frustration over students’ declining ability to tackle course readings. They’ve had to reduce the number of pages assigned for homework due to dwindling reading stamina and enthusiasm for “academic” texts. But who truly deserves the blame? A significant portion of the criticism is directed at technological devices because the distractions these devices present can severely affect learning. Research has shown that cellphones, tablets and laptops enable students to indulge in distractions, prompting several states to pass legislation aimed at banning cellphones to improve students’ mental health and focus. Others point fingers at standardized testing — and, by extension, K-12 teachers. Standardized tests dominate educational priorities, influencing national and state policy, school rankings and resource distribution. Although many teachers recognize that these tests do little to enhance classroom learning, they remain a central focus. Because of this, some teachers feel obligated to prioritize test preparation, which often favors superficial reading comprehension over deep, sustained engagement with texts and ideas. Consequently, students may find themselves skimming to answer questions rather than appreciating the transformative power of literature, all in pursuit of a passing score on a high-stakes exam. Teachers are not to blame for this predicament. When I was an English teacher in Florida and Georgia — at-will employment states in which an employer can fire an employee for any reason, with or without cause or notice — I understood that improving student test scores was crucial for job security. Despite my passion for reading and my efforts to cultivate literary engagement in my classroom, I was acutely aware that failure to show adequate yearly progress could jeopardize my position. In many states, test scores are linked to merit pay and job stability, placing immense pressure on teachers to deliver results. While it’s easy to point fingers, we must recognize the many layers to this conversation. In many articles about students’ reading abilities, there is an overemphasis on students’ disengagement from canonical texts — those traditionally deemed “classics” that all students should read. Works such as “Wuthering Heights,” “Jane Eyre,” “The Iliad,” “Great Expectations” and “Pride and Prejudice” are often heralded as crucial for understanding the human condition and appreciating humanity’s greatest achievements. While these texts can offer valuable insights, they predominately feature white authors and white protagonists, suggesting that only certain humans are worthy of appreciation. When the canon is prioritized, contemporary, diverse and young adult literature, especially works by and about minoritized people, are often overlooked. By emphasizing a narrow selection of texts, we can alienate students who might connect more deeply with stories that reflect their own experiences. By spotlighting white-centric literature from centuries ago, we risk making reading feel irrelevant to students’ lives, further diminishing their motivation to read. Certainly, technology plays a role in the time students devote to reading, but can we truly blame them for being drawn in? Social media algorithms curate personalized content connected to people’s interests, contrasting sharply with our approach to selecting class texts. Schools, for numerous reasons, tend to favor standardized reading experiences, often ignoring students’ diverse interests and backgrounds. It’s no wonder students aren’t reading complete novels; we’ve categorized the books young people love as not “real” reading. Our educational culture has prioritized test scores over meaningful reading engagement. We’ve communicated that reading matters only when it can be dissected for a test, while students’ interests are sidelined. There are no official statistics tracking the number of complete novels assigned in high school. But reports indicate that assignments requiring students to read full-length novels are becoming less common, and federal data shows teens are reading less than they did a decade ago. Researchers have also noted a decline in young people reading books for pleasure, a trend that continues into adulthood. So, yes, reading in the U.S. is in a state of emergency. Yes, college students — and everyone else — are reading fewer novels. However, if we want to point fingers, we should start with ourselves. We’ve spent so much time blaming each other, young people and books when we could’ve been suggesting solutions. We could advocate for a reduced emphasis on standardized testing and push for increased funding to help schools acquire texts that align with student interests. We could champion diverse and contemporary literature that reflects the lives and experiences of all students. We could call for better funding for teacher education programs to equip educators with the tools they need to match students with texts that might foster a love of reading. The responsibility lies with all of us — educators, policymakers and communities — to create an environment where every student feels inspired to explore the vast world of literature, even if their reading journey occurs outside of our classrooms.Whitt scores 14, Belmont beats Middle Tennessee 82-79USA TODAY and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article. Pricing and availability subject to change. SAN ANTONIO − Tonight’s game between might be the most attractive college football bowl game that is not part of the College Football Playoff. Count the reasons: It’s a prime-time Saturday night game on ABC. It features the reigning . It also features flamboyant Colorado coach Deion Sanders and his son Shedeur, who might be the top quarterback selected in the NFL draft in April. This will be their − the (9-3) vs. the Cougars (10-2), two Big 12 Conference teams on opposite sides of the Rocky Mountains who haven’t played each other since the Freedom Bowl in 1988. Shedeur Sanders, Colorado’s quarterback, ranks first nationally in completion percentage (74.2%) and will face a BYU defense that finished the regular season tied for first nationally in passes intercepted (20). Like Shedeur, Hunter also will play the game under a in case he’s injured. Because he plays on offense and defense, Hunter’s injury risk is essentially doubled, adding to the drama tonight after so many other top NFL prospects opted not to play in bowl games to avoid any injury risk that could hurt their future earnings. Will this bowl game for Hunter and Shedeur Sanders? We’re about to find out. Follow along here for live updates, highlights and news: Colorado declined to disclose this information citing privacy laws. But Deion Sanders announced earlier this week that Hunter and Shedeur Sanders had to protect them in this college football game, paid for by Colorado. Colorado athletic director Rick George described it as disability insurance, though it’s unclear if other types of insurance are involved. Both Hunter and Shedeur are projected as top-10 NFL draft picks in April and stand to sign multi-year contracts in the range of $20 million to $40 million. Despite the insurance coverage, it’s instead of just skipping it until they get NFL contracts. Thirty years after the Miracle in Michigan, former Colorado quarterback Kordell Stewart and former Colorado wide receiver Michael Westbrook stood on the sidelines together chatting about two hours before kickoff at the Alamo Bowl. They are arguably the best quarterback-receiver combo at Colorado to come before Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter. Westbrook caught the “Miracle” pass to beat Michigan as time expired in 1994. Westbrook was the No. 4 overall pick in the 1995 NFL draft. Stewart got picked at No. 60 the same year. Both Shedeur Sanders and Hunter are expected to be top-10 NFL draft picks in April. It’s because of college football conference realignment. The Alamo Bowl had contracts to take . But then the Pac-12 collapsed this year with 10 teams leaving for other leagues, including Colorado, which left to return to the Big 12. Instead of reworking those contracts to reflect the new realignment, the Alamo Bowl will still select opponents from the same two pools of 12 teams: the 12 teams from the former Pac-12 (Colorado) and the 12 teams from the Big 12 before realignment (BYU). It will work this way again in 2025. BYU did not play Colorado this year but will play Colorado in Boulder in 2025. The Colorado Buffaloes are favorites to defeat the BYU Cougars in Saturday’s college football matchup, according to the . Looking to wager? Check out offering . Colorado (-3) Colorado (-150); BYU (+125) 54.5 Kickoff is at 7:30 ET Saturday from the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. The game will be broadcast on ABC. Dave Pasch, Dusty Dvoracek and Taylor McGregor will call the game. The Cougars-Buffaloes game can be streamed on

If alterations are made, if 12 is suddenly 16 teams or even more, if how the College Football Playoff is constructed becomes different from how we know it, John Saccenti is convinced his game will be ready. That the Las Vegas Bowl could play a central part in the advancement of it all. “If they want to change the format at all, I like the position we’re in,” said Saccenti, the game’s executive director. “If they keep it as is, there’s no Vegas as part of that group. But if they decide to expand, we’re a West Coast game in a $2 billion state-of-the-art stadium and in a destination everyone wants to be in.” The latest Las Vegas Bowl played out Friday night when USC tangled with Texas A&M at Allegiant Stadium. The 12-team playoff will be in place through next season, after which those running things will examine it based on a two-year sample size. Saccenti is right. Should the powers that be decide things can be improved by adding teams — and essentially more games — the Las Vegas Bowl should be a primary candidate for inclusion. It has too much going for it. Not if, but when It’s much like the praise heaped upon Las Vegas by the NFL after the Super Bowl. How smoothly things ran. How the infrastructure was in place, the hotels were in place, the meeting space was in place. All points, be it on a smaller scale, a CFP game would be interested in. “When the (CFP) makes a decision on the next couple of sites and destinations, I think we’re fooling ourselves just to say, ‘If they come to Vegas,’” Saccenti said. “It’s ‘when they come to Vegas.’ They’ll see exactly how we do things, and nobody does it better.” One of Saccenti’s main concerns is how teams are selected for the bowl game now. He wants the process looked at more closely. He wants more flexibility instead of being locked into a specific pick from a conference. He doesn’t like merely being slotted into, say, a predetermined choice from the Big Ten. “I think we ought to be able to dip into a bigger pool,” he said. “We should be able to slide a little bit. The matchup has to work with the destination. That’s going to be my goal going forward with the next cycle. At the end of the day, I want the best matchup for our game and for TV.” His job changes every year, and it’s no different now with the CFP. Perhaps his most difficult challenge is discovering a way to keep fans engaged during bowl season. What he doesn’t want, what no non-CFP bowl game wants, is for fans to be so disappointed their team didn’t make the playoff that it keeps them and a community from being interested. The Kickoff Classic between USC and LSU in September set attendance records at Allegiant Stadium and offered a thrilling finish that saw the Trojans prevail 27-20. It was the type of springboard Saccenti hopes can fuel another game each year. “We have to make sure the bowl is also a marquee event that locals want to go to and be part of, but also that the fan bases we are inviting are excited and engaged,” Saccenti said. “(Las Vegas) now hosts almost every massive major event in the world. We’ve been a little spoiled in that sense. The Las Vegas Bowl has to be a top-tier event much like what you saw with LSU-USC.” A small window The Las Vegas Bowl was created to draw tourism before Christmas. But the CFP now schedules games on that Saturday, making things complicated for Saccenti’s bowl. The town wants it over before New Year’s Eve, and availability of the stadium must be coordinated with the Raiders. There is only a small window of opportunity. He’s not overly concerned, though. “We’re always going to be in good shape, and we’re always going to be a place people want to come,” Saccenti said. “I will put our bowl week events up against anyone in the country. Nobody does events like this. Nobody does gifting to players like we do. That’s what it’s all about — to make sure we take care of these teams.” Who knows — one day soon they might be taking care of those in a CFP game.World News | China Expands 200 Detention Facilities For Xi Jinping's Anti-corruption Drive

Westchester Soccer Club Debuts New Home Kit to Kick Off Upcoming Season

Major retailers in UK and Ireland pull products associated with Conor McGregor

Jamiya Neal's monster game leads Creighton past UNLV

Saturday's TransactionsAn online debate over foreign workers in tech shows tensions in Trump's political coalition

Willy Adames agrees to $182 million, 7-year deal with the Giants, AP source says Willy Adames has agreed to a $182 million, seven-year deal with San Francisco, providing the Giants with a power-hitting shortstop in the prime of his career, according to a person familiar with the negotiations. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the agreement was pending a physical. ESPN first reported the move. The 29-year-old Adames is coming off his best offensive season in the big leagues after hitting .251 with a career-high 32 homers and 112 RBIs with the Milwaukee Brewers. Georgia QB Carson Beck knocked out by hand injury in SEC championship game against Texas ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia quarterback Carson Beck will not return after he was hit on his throwing hand on the final play of an ugly first half in the Southeastern Conference championship game against Texas. Beck was hit by outside linebacker Trey Moore, forcing a fumble recovered by Anthony Hill Jr., who then lost the ball on an errant attempt to extend the play with a lateral as time expired. Beck was one of the last players to return to the field following halftime. Backup Gunner Stockton led the offense to a touchdown on the Bulldogs’ first drive of the second half. Arizona State makes College Football Playoff with 45-19 win over Iowa State in Big 12 title game ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Big 12 newcomer Arizona State will represent the conference in the 12-team College Football Playoff. Cam Skattebo ran for 170 yards and two scores while adding a touchdown catch the 12th-ranked Sun Devils beat No. 16 Iowa State 45-19 in the Big 12 championship game. The Sun Devils with 34-year-old head coach Kenny Dillingham are 11-2 after being the preseason pick to finish at the bottom of their new 16-team league. They have won six games in a row. Iowa State is 10-3, already the first 10-win season in the program's 133-year history. LA Galaxy strike early, hold off New York Red Bulls 2-1 to win their record 6th MLS Cup championship CARSON, Calif. (AP) — Joseph Paintsil and Dejan Joveljic scored in the first half, and the LA Galaxy won their record sixth MLS Cup championship with a 2-1 victory over the New York Red Bulls. After striking twice in the first 13 minutes with goals from their star forwards, the Galaxy nursed a lead through a scoreless second half to raise their league’s biggest trophy for the first time since 2014. Sean Nealis scored for the seventh-seeded Red Bulls, whose improbable charge through the playoffs ended one win shy of the founding MLS franchise’s first Cup championship. No. 16 Iowa State falls short in Big 12 title game again, this time with CFP at stake ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — The stakes were higher for Iowa State, and the outcome was the same as the first for the Cyclones in their second trip to the Big 12 championship game. And the 112-year wait for a conference title will go on. No. 16 Iowa State was playing for a spot in the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff in a 45-19 loss to 12th-ranked Arizona State. Four years ago, neither Iowa State nor Oklahoma had a realistic path into the four-team tournament before the Sooners' 27-21 victory. The Cyclones haven't won a conference title since going 2-0 in the Missouri Valley Intercollegiate Athletic Association in 1912. Big 12's Yormark brings up hard choices for fans before sparsely attended title game ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — College football fans are facing some hard choices in the expanded playoff system with some teams set to play away from home multiple times. Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark raised that point No. 12 Arizona State's 45-19 victory over 16th-ranked Iowa State. The announced crowd of 55,889 at the home of the Dallas Cowboys appeared far smaller. Yormark says he remains committed to having a Big 12 title game. Besides the issues of fans, there have been suggestions that some leagues might be better off without title games as it relates to playoff hopes. Lindsey Vonn competes in a pair of downhills, another step on her comeback trail at the age of 40 COPPER MOUNTAIN, Colo. (AP) — Lindsey Vonn finished in the middle of the pack in a pair of lower-level downhill events as she competed for the first time in nearly six years. The 40-year-old Vonn is on the comeback trail after stepping away from the sport because of injuries. Vonn wasn't concerned with times and places in the races so much as getting used to the speed again and gaining the necessary points to compete on the World Cup circuit. Vonn accomplished both, finishing 24th in the first downhill race of the day and 27th in the second. She posted on social media after the FIS races she had enough points to enter World Cup events. Justin Thomas with big drives and a few big putts takes 1-shot lead over Scheffler in the Bahamas NASSAU, Bahamas (AP) — Justin Thomas has a one-shot lead over Scottie Scheffler going into the final round of the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas. Thomas is using a slightly longer driver and has been blasting away. He also was helped by two long putts on the back nine that carried him to 66 at windy Albany Golf Club. Scheffler muffed a chip on the 13th hole that cost him the lead and he never caught up. He still shot a 69 and will be in the last group with Thomas on Sunday. Tom Kim had a 62 and was two shots back. Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy gets restructured deal after 3-9 season, according to reports Oklahoma State football coach Mike Gundy will be staying on with a restructured deal. That's according to news reports published on Saturday. The deal reportedly will shift some of his salary to revenue sharing with players. The Cowboys were among the preseason favorites in the Big 12, but a rash of injuries and problems at quarterback tanked the team, and the Cowboys went 3-9. The school's Board of Regents held a special meeting on Friday morning regarding his status, but no immediate action was taken. The fact that Gundy has 169 wins in 20 years plus a hefty buyout likely saved him from being fired outright. Norris takes pole for season-ending Abu Dhabi GP and Hamilton 18th in Mercedes farewell ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Lando Norris took pole position for the last Formula 1 race of the season alongside teammate Oscar Piastri to put McLaren on the verge of a first constructors’ title in 26 years. Norris’ last lap put him .209 of a second faster than Piastri, with Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz Jr. .020 further back. Seven-time F1 champion Hamilton qualified 18th for his last race with Mercedes after a bizarre incident wrecked his final qualifying lap. A plastic pole marking the inside of a corner was knocked loose by Kevin Magnussen’s Haas and Hamilton drove over it.Bashar al-Assad’s rise from London ‘IT geek’ to brutal dictator

PARIS — Howling winds couldn’t stop Notre Dame Cathedral ’s heart from beating again. With three resounding knocks on its doors by Paris Archbishop Laurent Ulrich, wielding a specially designed crosier carved from fire-scorched beams, the monument roared back to life Saturday evening. For the first time since a devastating blaze nearly destroyed it in 2019, the towering Gothic masterpiece reopened for worship, its rebirth marked by song, prayer, and awe beneath its soaring arches. The ceremony, initially planned to begin on the forecourt, was moved entirely inside due to unusually fierce December winds sweeping across the Île de la Cité, flanked by the River Seine. Yet the occasion lost none of its splendor. Inside the luminous nave, choirs sang psalms, and the cathedral’s mighty organ, silent for nearly five years, thundered to life in a triumphant interplay of melodies. The restoration, a spectacular achievement in just five years for a structure that took nearly two centuries to build, is seen as a moment of triumph for French President Emmanuel Macron, who championed the ambitious timeline — and a welcome respite from his domestic political woes. The evening’s celebration, attended by 1,500 dignitaries, including President-elect Donald Trump, US first lady Jill Biden, Britain’s Prince William, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, underscored Notre Dame’s enduring role as both a spiritual and cultural beacon. Observers see the event as Macron's, and his intention to pivot it into a fully fledged diplomatic gathering, while highlighting France’s ability to unite on the global stage despite internal political crises. As the cathedral’s largest bell, the 13-ton Emmanuel — which was not named after the French leader — tolled into the Paris night, signaling the start of the ceremony, the crowd inside Notre Dame fell into an expectant hush. Emmanuel, a legacy of King Louis XIV, had rung through centuries of French history, and its peal now resonated as a call to witness another epochal moment. Outside the cathedral’s monumental doors, Ulrich raised his fire-scarred crosier. “Brothers and sisters, let us enter now into Notre Dame,” he declared. “It is she who accompanies us on our path to peace.” With the congregation of over 2,500 people watching in silence, Ulrich struck the floodlit doors, the base of his crosier reverberating against the wood. Inside, the choir answered with soaring hymns, their voices filling the nave. Illuminations on the cathedral facade heightened the drama. On the final strike, the heavy doors swung open, revealing the glowing interior of restored blond Lutetian limestone. Adding to the ceremony’s visual splendor, Ulrich and the clergy wore vibrant liturgical garments designed by French fashion designer Jean-Charles de Castelbajac. Known for his signature pop-art aesthetic, Castelbajac created 2,000 colorful pieces for 700 celebrants, blending modern elements with medieval touches. Flooded with light and song, the cathedral came alive in a moment of breathtaking spectacle. What had been a silent, soot-blackened ruin five years ago now blazed with renewed vitality, marking the culmination of a nearly $1 billion global effort to resurrect it. Speaking inside the cathedral, Macron expressed “gratitude” Saturday to those who saved, helped, and rebuilt Notre Dame, his voice reverberating through the nave. “I stand before you ... to express the gratitude of the French nation,” he said, before voices flooded the space with song, harmonies not heard in over five years. “Tonight, the bells of Notre Dame are ringing again. And in a moment, the organ will awaken,” sending the “music of hope” cascading through the luminous interior to Parisians, France, and the world beyond, he said. The celebration is expected to give a much-needed boost to the embattled French leader, whose prime minister was ousted this week, plunging the nation’s politics into more turmoil. Macron has called Notre Dame’s reopening “a jolt of hope.” Observers say he hoped the occasion would briefly silence his critics and showcase France’s unity and resilience under his leadership — a rare moment of grace in a presidency now facing a grave crisis. Inside Notre Dame, 42,000 square meters of stonework—equivalent to six soccer pitches—gleamed anew, revealing intricate carvings and luminous limestone. Above, 2,000 oak beams, nicknamed “the forest,” restored the cathedral’s iconic spire and roof. The great organ, dormant for over five years, roared back to life like a slumbering giant. With its 7,952 pipes—ranging from pen-sized to torso-wide—and a renovated console featuring five keyboards, 115 stops, and 30 foot pedals, it responded to Archbishop Laurent Ulrich’s command: “Wake up, organ, sacred instrument.” The first low rumble grew into a triumphant symphony as four organists pulled out the stops, weaving improvised responses to the archbishop’s invocations. Eight times, Ulrich addressed the organ; eight times, its voice filled the nave with breathtaking sound. Guests marveled at the spectacle, many capturing the moment on their phones. “It’s a sense of perfection,” said François Le Page of the Notre Dame Foundation, who last saw the cathedral cloaked in scaffolding in 2021. “It was somber then. Now, it’s night and day.” The Rev. Andriy Morkvas, a Ukrainian priest who leads the Volodymyr Le Grand church in Paris, reflected on his first visit to Notre Dame in over a decade. “I didn’t recognize it,” he said. “God is very powerful; He can change things.” He expressed hope that the cathedral’s revival could inspire peace in his homeland, drawing strength from the presence of Ukraine’s president. “I think that will have a big impact,” he said. “I hope Notre Dame and Mary will help us resolve this conflict.” The reopening of Notre Dame comes at a time of profound global unrest, with wars raging in Ukraine and the Middle East. For Catholics, Notre Dame’s rector said the cathedral “carries the enveloping presence of the Virgin Mary, a maternal and embracing presence.′′ “It is a magnificent symbol of unity,” Olivier Ribadeau Dumas said. “Notre Dame is not just a French monument — it is a magnificent sign of hope.” The international range of dignitaries coming to Paris underline the cathedral’s significance as a symbol of shared heritage and peace. Canadian visitor Noelle Alexandria, who had traveled to Paris for the reopening, was struck by the cathedral’s ability to inspire. “She’s been nearly ruined before, but she always comes back,” Alexandria said. “Not many of us could say the same after such tragedy, but Notre Dame can.” Guests entered through Notre Dame’s iconic western façade, whose arched portals adorned with biblical carvings were once a visual guide for medieval believers. Above the central Portal of the Last Judgment, the Archangel Michael is depicted weighing souls, as demons attempt to tip the scales. These stone figures, designed to inspire both awe and fear, set the stage for a ceremony steeped in history. Inside, the hum of hundreds of guests awaiting the service filled the cathedral with human sounds once more — a stark contrast to the construction din that echoed there for years. Tuners restoring the great organ often worked through the night to find the silence needed to perfect its 7,952 pipes, ranging from pen-sized to torso-wide. Notre Dame echoed to the sound of a sustained standing ovation after the showing of a short movie that documented the gargantuan rebuilding effort. Outside, the word “MERCI” — thank you — was projected against the cathedral’s iconic western facade. The movie showed the terrible wounds left by the inferno — the gaping holes torn into its vaulted ceilings and the burned roof. But that was followed by images of all types of artisans, many using traditional handicraft techniques, who collectively restored Notre Dame to look better now than ever. "We went from night to light," said one of the workers in the movie. Security will be high through the weekend, echoing measures taken during the Paris Olympics earlier this year. The Île de la Cité — the small island in the River Seine that is home to Notre Dame and the historic heart of Paris— is closed to tourists and non-residents. Police vans and barriers blocked cobblestoned streets in a large perimeter around the island, while soldiers in thick body armor and sniffer dogs patrolled embankments. A special security detail followed Trump. For many, Notre Dame’s rebirth is not just a French achievement but a global one — after the reopening, the cathedral is set to welcome 15 million visitors annually, up from 12 million before the fire.World News | China Expands 200 Detention Facilities For Xi Jinping's Anti-corruption DriveSecurity forces recovered a significant cache of weapons near MS 27 along the Miao-Vijaynagar axis in Arunachal Pradesh‘s Changlang district. The joint operation, conducted under the Spear Corps, involved Assam Rifles, the Army, and local police. Extensive search efforts by specialized teams, supported by advanced technology such as high-tech drones, tracker dogs, and metal detectors, led to the discovery. “During the operation, ten Chinese-origin MQ 81 Assault Rifles/Type 81 Assault Rifles were recovered from different locations around MS 27,” an Army official stated. “This constitutes one of the largest recoveries of such weapons in South Arunachal in recent times. The weapons were concealed within a forested area,” he said. He further explained that these weapons had been sought by major insurgent groups operating in the Changlang district for over six months. It is believed that these weapons were buried by the Eastern Naga National Government (ENNG) before their surrender last year. “Prior to the operation, security personnel ensured the safe passage of tourists present in Namdapha Reserve Forest for birdwatching,” the official said. Numerous inputs have been received over the past six months regarding attempts by various insurgent groups, particularly the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isak-Muivah) (NSCN-IM) and the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang) (NSCN-KYA), with the assistance of former ENNG cadres, to recover this cache.

By LOLITA C. BALDOR and MATTHEW LEE WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States is expected to announce that it will send $1.25 billion in military assistance to Ukraine, U.S. officials said Friday, as the Biden administration pushes to get as much aid to Kyiv as possible before leaving office on Jan. 20. The large package of aid includes a significant amount of munitions, including for the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems and the HAWK air defense system. It also will provide Stinger missiles and 155 mm- and 105 mm artillery rounds, officials said. The officials, who said they expect the announcement to be made on Monday, spoke on condition of anonymity to provide details not yet made public. The new aid comes as Russia has launched a barrage of attacks against Ukraine’s power facilities in recent days, although Ukraine has said it intercepted a significant number of the missiles and drones. Russian and Ukrainian forces are also still in a bitter battle around the Russian border region of Kursk, where Moscow has sent thousands of North Korean troops to help reclaim territory taken by Ukraine. Earlier this month, senior defense officials acknowledged that that the Defense Department may not be able to send all of the remaining $5.6 billion in Pentagon weapons and equipment stocks passed by Congress for Ukraine before President-elect Donald Trump is sworn in. Related Articles National News | Bird flu virus likely mutated within a Louisiana patient, CDC says National News | A 9th telecoms firm has been hit by a massive Chinese espionage campaign, the White House says National News | Court rules Georgia lawmakers can subpoena Fani Willis for information related to her Trump case National News | US homelessness up 18% as affordable housing remains out of reach for many people National News | OpenAI whistleblower death: Parents want to know what happened to Suchir Balaji after apparent suicide Trump has talked about getting some type of negotiated settlement between Ukraine and Russia, and spoken about his relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin . Many U.S. and European leaders are concerned that it might result in a poor deal for Ukraine and they worry that he won’t provide Ukraine with all the weapons funding approved by Congress. The aid in the new package is in presidential drawdown authority, which allows the Pentagon to take weapons off the shelves and send them quickly to Ukraine. This latest assistance would reduce the remaining amount to about $4.35 billion. Officials have said they hope that an influx of aid will help strengthen Ukraine’s hand, should Zelenskyy decide it’s time to negotiate. One senior defense official said that while the U.S. will continue to provide weapons to Ukraine until Jan. 20, there may well be funds remaining that will be available for the incoming Trump administration to spend. According to the Pentagon, there is also about $1.2 billion remaining in longer-term funding through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, which is used to pay for weapons contracts that would not be delivered for a year or more. Officials have said the administration anticipates releasing all of that money before the end of the calendar year. If the new package is included, the U.S. has provided more than $64 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since Russia invaded in February 2022.

Take high risk to earn high returns: the greatest misconception in the financial marketsTravelSky Technology Limited (OTCMKTS:TSYHY) Short Interest Down 42.1% in December

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